THERAPEUTICAL NOTES   

Esperienze Dermatologiche 2012 March;14(1):21-4

Copyright © 2012 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Role of clindamycin and zinc acetate in topic acne therapy

Capitanio B., Sinagra J. L.

Ambulatorio Acne/SSO di Dermatologia Pediatrica, Istituto San Gallicano, Roma, Italia

Topical clindamycin has been adopted for over 30 years for acne therapy. It acts directly on Propionibacterium acnes, and, indirectly, thanks to its antiinflammatory properties. Zinc is a metallic element with bacteriostatic activity against P. acnes, it inhibits neutrophils chemiotaxis and reduces TNF production. Associated with topical antibiotics, zinc reduces sebum production, has cheratolitic activity, increases tissues healing and reduces antibiotic resistance. In order to verify the efficacy and tolerability of a product containing clindamycin phosphate 1% + zinc acetate with ResiDerm® tecnology (active group) vs. clindamycin 1% (control group) alone, we conducted a double blind study on a population of 40 patients (e.m. 17.2, range 12-21 years) with mild to moderate acne. At the end of the study (12 weeks) we observed a 67.6% mean reduction of inflammatory lesions in the active group, vs. 47.9% of the control group (P=0.05). Retentional lesions were reduced of 34.5% in the active group vs. 12.3% of the control group (P<0.01). Moreover, despite the study was partially conducted during summer, no photosensitivity reactions were observed. In our experience, clindamicyn 1% + zinc acetate in ResiDerm® tecnology is more efficient than clindamycin 1% alone, both on inflamed and on retentional lesions, probably for the presence of zinc acetate. The complete absence of photosensitivity reactions allows its application also during summer, where other antiacneic treatments (benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, tetracyclines) are contraindicated.